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Vieira Optimistic About Recovery

Patrick Viera says he is optimistic about his fitness for the European Championships, even though he's been ruled out of France’s opening Group C match against Romania with a thigh injury.

The captain of France, Patrick Vieira, has offered an upbeat assessment of his fitness prospects with the Euro 2008 tournament due to kick-off on Saturday.

Vieira had been expected to be available for Les Bleus’ final two group games, but there were concerns that his injury problems could wreck his hopes of participating in the tournament at all.

However, the Inter Milan midfielder has revealed that although he has a “little tear” in his thigh muscle, he is hopeful it will not affect his involvement in France’s campaign this month in Austria and Switzerland.

“It is nothing serious, but unfortunately it has happened at a bad time because every day counts now and the tournament is approaching,” said the former Arsenal and Juventus star on French TV channel TF1.

“Now, what I have to do is try to recover as quickly as possible. If by the end of the week I am not training with the squad, that would mean I will not be participating in the Euros. But I am still optimistic.”

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Vieira Optimistic About Recovery